“Twenty years ago, as a parent, you always knew where your kids were and what they were doing. This isn’t the case today. The movie theater was perfect. You could drop off your kids and pick them up in the same exact spot. And if they were doing something bad, they knew someone in town would recognize them and tell their parents.”

“The city really messed up when they raised the rent on the theater. In effect, it forced them out of business. I considered buying the theatre once. Kids need something to do, especially after dark.”

Residents especially valued the schools. Almost everyone who commented on schools thought the quality of education in the area was especially good, partly related to smaller class size. Parent Teacher Organizations and school site councils are very active. A few observers thought that the number of students being home-schooled had increased in recent years. The presence of Catholic schools and a Christian school was also valued, as well as the collaboration and sharing of resources that occurred between schools.

“People like the quality of education in Sublimity. The small school district size is a plus.”

“There are some good teachers here.”

“The smaller schools are an attraction for Salem people who buy homes here.”

“Parents are very supportive of education here. In this school parents volunteer up to 2000 hours per year.” [School administrator]

“Schools here are fantastic. They offer many different programs. Budget cuts are coming this year so there may be difficulties in the future.”

Friends of the Family received special attention. It is a nonprofit organization supported by Children and Families Commission and devoted to children and youth issues in the Mid-Valley. Their three programs are oriented to mentoring, peer courts and the education of young parents.